*This was originally compiled and posted by Sorn during his long tenure as Ritari. It has been reposted here in an effort to collect all our resources on our new site.
Hrafnagaldr Óðins
(Forspjallsljóð)
Old Norse
1. Alföðr orkar, álfar skilja, Vanir vitu, vísa nornir, elr íviðja, aldir bera, þreyja þursar, þrá valkyrjur
Thorpe
Alfather works, the Alfar discern, the Vanir know, the Nornir indicate, the Ividia brings forth, men endure, the Thursar await, the Valkyruir long.
Björnsson
Allfather works, elves understand, vanir know, norns reveal, íviðja gives birth, men endure, thurses wait, valkyries yearn.
Old Norse
2. Ætlun Æsir illa gátu, verpir villtu vættar rúnum; Óðhrærir skyldi Urðar geyma máttkat verja mestum þorra
Thorpe
The forebodings of the Æsir suspected to be evil; treacherous Vættar had the runes confounded. Urd was enjoined to guard Odhroerir, powerfully to protect it against the increasing multitude.
Björnsson
The Æsir suspected an evil scheme, wights confounded the weather with magic; Urður was appointed Óðhrærir’s keeper, powerful to protect it from the mightiest winter.
Old Norse
3. Hverfr því Hugr, hinna leitar, grunar guma grand, ef dvelur; þótti er Þráins þunga draumr; Dáins dulu draumr þótti
Thorpe
Hug then goes forth, explores the heavens, the powers fear disaster from delay. ‘Twas Thráin’s belief that the dream was ominous; Dáin’s thought that the dream was dark.
Björnsson
Hugur then disappears seeking the heavens, men’s ruin is suspected, if he’s delayed; Þráinn’s thought is an oppressive dream, Dáinn’s dream was thought enigmatic
Old Norse
4. Dugir með dvergum dvína, heimar niðr at Ginnungs niði sökkva; oft Alsviðr ofan fellir oft of föllnum aftr safnar.
Thorpe
Among the dwarfs virtue decays; worlds sink down to Ginnung’s abyss Oft will Alswid strike them down, often the fallen again collect.
Björnsson
The dwarves’ powers dwindle, the worlds sink down towards Ginnung’s abyss; Often Alsviður fells from above, often he gathers the fallen again.
Old Norse
5. Stendr æva strind né röðull, lofti með lævi linnir ei straumi; mærum dylst í Mímis brunni vissa vera; vitið enn eða hvað?
Thorpe
Stand no longer shall earth or sun. The stream of air with corruption laden shall not cease. Hidden is in Mim’s limpid well men’s certain knowledge. Understand ye yet, or what?
Björnsson
Earth and Sun cannot stand firm; malignant winds do not cease; hidden in the glorious well of Mímir lies all knowledge; know ye yet, or what?
Old Norse
6. Dvelr í dölum dís forvitin Yggdrasils frá aski hnigin; álfa ættar Iðunni hétu Ívalds eldri yngsta barna.
Thorpe
In the dales dwells the prescient Dis, from Yggdrasil’s ash sunk down, of alfen race, Idun by name, the youngest of Ivaldi’s elder children.
Björnsson
Dwells in dales the curious dís, from Yggdrasill’s ash descended; of elven kin, Iðunn was her name, youngest of Ívald’s elder children.
Old Norse
7. Eirði illa ofankomu hárbaðms undir haldin meiði; kunni sízt at kundar Nörva vön at værri vistum heima.
Thorpe
She ill brooked her descent, under the hoar tree’s trunk confined. She would not happy be with Nörvi’s daughter, accustomed to a pleasanter abode at home.
Björnsson
Ill she endured the fall from above, under the hoar-tree’s trunk confined; disliked staying at Nörvi’s daughter’s, used to better abodes back home.
Old Norse
8. Sjá sigtívar syrgja Naumu, Viggjar at véum vargsbelg seldu; lét í færast lyndi breytti, lék at lævísi, litum skipti.
Thorpe
The triumphant gods saw Nanna sorrowing in earth’s deep sanctuaries; a wolf’s skin they gave her, in which herself she clad, changed her feelings, practised guile, alter’d her aspect.
Björnsson
The divinities see Nauma grieving in the wolf’s home; given a wolf-skin, she clad herself therein, changed disposition, delighted in guile, shifted her shape
Old Norse
9. Valdi Viðrir vörð Bifrastar Gjallar sunnu gátt at frétta, heims hvívetna hvert er vissi. Bragi ok Loftr báru kviðu.
Thorpe
Vidrir selected Bifröst’s guardian, of the Giöll-sun’s keeper to inquire all that she knew of every world; Bragi and Lopt should witness bear.
Björnsson
Viðrir selected Bifröst’s guardian to inquire of the bearer of Gjöll’s sun, whatever she knew of the world’s affairs; Bragi and Loftur bore witness.
Old Norse
10. Galdr gólu, göndum riðu Rögnir og Reginn at ranni heimis; hlustar Óðinn Hliðskjálfu í, lét braut vera langa vegu.
Thorpe
Magic songs they sung, rode on wolves the god and gods. At the heavenly house, Odin listened, in Hlidskiálf; let them go forth on their long way.
Björnsson
Sorcery they sang, wolves they rode, Rögnir and Reginn, against the world’s house; Óðinn listens in Hliðskjálf; watched the travellers’ distant journey.
Old Norse
11. Frá enn vitri veiga selju banda burða ok brauta sinna; hlýrnis, heljar, heims ef vissi, ártíð, æfi, aldurtila.
Thorpe
The wise god asked the cupbearer of the gods’ progeny and their associates, Whether of heaven, or Hel, or earth, she knew the origin, duration, or dissolution?
Björnsson
The wise one asked the server of mead, scion of gods and his road-companions, if she knew the origin, duration, and end of heaven, of hel, of the world.
Old Norse
12. Né mun mælti né mál knátti Gefjun greiða né glaum hjaldi; tár af tíndust törgum hjarnar, eljun faldin endr rjóða
Thorpe
She spoke not, she could no words to the anxious gods bring forth, nor a sound uttered; tears flowed from the head’s orbs; with pain repressed they flow anew
Björnsson
Her mind she spoke not, nor was Gefjun able to utter a word, nor express any joy; tears trickled, from the skull’s shields, the mighty one was bereft of power.
Old Norse
13. Eins kemur austan úr Elivágum þorn af atri þurs hrímkalda, hveim drepur dróttir Dáinn allar mæran of Miðgarð með nátt hvor.
Thorpe
As from the east from Elivágar, the thorn is impelled by the ice-cold Thurs, wherewith Dáin all people strikes over the fair mid-earth;
Björnsson
As from the East, out of Élivágar, comes a thorn from the field of the rime-cold giant, with which Dáinn smites all men of glorious Midgard every night.
Old Norse
14. Dofna þá dáðir, detta hendr, svífr of svimi sverð Áss hvíta; rennir örvit rýgjar glýgju sefa sveiflum sókn gjörvallri.
Thorpe
when every faculty is lulled, the hands sink, totters with drowsiness the bright, sword-girt As; drives away the current the giantess’s blandishment of the mind’s agitations of all people,
Björnsson
Actions are numbed, the arms slump, a swoon hovers over the white god’s sword; stupor dispels the wind of the giantess, the mind’s workings of all mankind.
Old Norse
15. Jamt þótti Jórunn jólnum komin, sollin sútum, svars er ei gátu; sóttu því meir at syn var fyrir, mun þó miður mælgi dygði.
Thorpe
so the gods appeared Jorun to be affected, with sorrows swollen, when they no answer got; they strove the more the greater the repulse; still less than they had hoped did their words prevail.
Björnsson
Thus the gods perceived the state of Jórunn, swollen with sorrow, when no answer came forth; they grew more persistent as response was denied, but all their words were to no avail.
Old Norse
16. Fór frumkvöðull fregnar brauta hirðr at Herjans horni Gjallar; Nálar nepa nam til fylgis, greppr Grímnis grund varðveitti.
Thorpe
When then the leader of the inquiring travellers, the guardian of Herian’s loud sounding horn took the son of Nál for his companion, Grimnir’s skald at the place kept watch.
Björnsson
Went forth the leader of the expedition, guardian of Herjan’s Gjallarhorn; chose as companion the kinsman of Nál, Grímnir’s poet guarded the ground.
Old Norse
17. Vingólf tóku Viðars þegnar, Fornjóts sefum fluttir báðir; iðar ganga, æsi kveðja, Yggjar þegar við ölteiti.
Thorpe
Vingólf reached Vidur’s ministers, both borne by Fornióts kin. They entered, and the Æsir forthwith saluted, at Ygg’s convivial meeting.
Björnsson
Arrived at Vingólf Viðar’s thains, by Fornjót’s sons both transported; they walk within, greet the Æsir forthwith at Yggur’s merry ale-feast:
Old Norse
18. Heilan Hangatý heppnastan ása, virt öndvegis valda báðu; sæla at sumbli sitja día, æ með Yggjungi yndi halda.
Thorpe
Hangatýr they hailed, of Æsir the most blissfull; potent drink in the high seat they wished him to enjoy, and the gods to sit happy at the feast, ever with Yggiung pleasure to share.
Björnsson
“Hale be, Hangatýr, happiest of Æsir, may you preside over the mead at the high-seat!” “Sit, gods, in delight at the drinking-feast; may you, with Yggjungur, enjoy eternal bliss!”
Old Norse
19. Bekkjarsett at Bölverks ráði sjöt Sæhrímni saddist rakna; skögul að skutlum skaptker Hnikars mat af miði Mímis hornum.
Thorpe
On the benches seated, at Bölverk’s bidding, the company of gods were with Sæhrímnir sated. Skögul at the tables, from Hnikar’s vessel measured out the mead, in Mimir’s horns.
Björnsson
Seated on benches at Bölverk’s bidding the tribe of gods were with Sæhrímnir sated; Skögul, at the tables, with horns meted out Mímir’s mead from Hnikar’s vat.
Old Norse
20. Margs of frágu máltíð yfir Heimdall há goð, hörgar Loka, spár eða spakmál sprund ef kenndi, undorn of fram unz nam húma.
Thorpe
Of many things inquired, when the meal was over. the high gods of Heimdall, the godesses of Loki, - where the maid had uttered divinations or wise words? - from noon until twilight’s advent.
Björnsson
Much was asked during the banquet of Heimdallur by the gods, of Loki by the goddesses, whether the woman had spoken prophecies or wisdom; all day they asked until twilight approached.
Old Norse
21. Illa létu orðið hafa erindisleysu of lítilfræga; vant að væla verða myndi, svá af svanna svars of gæti.
Thorpe
Ill they showed it had fallen out, their errand bootless, little to glory in. A lack of counsel seemed likely, how from the maiden they might an answer get.
Björnsson
Badly, they deemed, had gone amiss their futile errand of little glory; it would prove hard to find the ploy needed to get an answer from the woman.
Old Norse
22. Ansar Ómi, allir hlýddu: Nótt skal nema nýræða til, hugsi til myrgins hverr sem orkar ráð til leggja rausnar Ásum
Thorpe
Omi answered; all listened; “Night is the time for new counsels; till the morrow let reflect each one competent to give advice helpful to the Æsir.”
Björnsson
Ómi answers, all listened: “Night is the time for new advice; think until morning each that is able to provide counsel for the Æsir’s benefit!”
Old Norse
23. Rann með röstum Rindar móðr föður larðr Fenris valla; gengu frá gildi goðin, kvöddu Hropt ok Frigg sem Hrímfaxa fór.
Thorpe
Ran along the ways of mother Rind, the desired repast of Fenrisulf. Went from the guild, bade the gods farewell Hropt and Frigg, as, before Hrimfaxi.
Björnsson
Ran along the eddies of Rindur’s plains the wolf’s tired food supply; the gods left the feast and saluted Hroptur and Frigg, as Hrímfaxi ascended.
Old Norse
24. Dýrum settan Dellings mögr jó fram keyrði jarknasteinum; mars of manheim mön af glóar, dró leik Dvalins drösull í reið.
Thorpe
The son of Delling urged on his horse adorned with precious jewels. Over Mannheim shines the horse’s mane, the steed Dvalin’s deluder drew in his chariot.
Björnsson
Delling’s son urged on his horse, well adorned with precious stones; the horse’s mane glows above Man-world, the steed in his chariot drew Dvalin’s playmate.
Old Norse
25. Jörmungrundar í jódyr nyrðra und rót yztu aðalþollar, gengu til rekkju gýgjur ok þursar, náir, dvergar, ok dökkálfar.
Thorpe
In the north boundary of the spacious earth, under the outmost root of the noble tree, went to their couches Gýgiar and Thursar, spectres, dwarfs, and Murk Alfs.
Björnsson
At Jörmungrund’s northern border, under the outermost root of the noble tree, went to their couches giantesses and giants, dead men, dwarves, and dark-elves.
Old Norse
26. Risu raknar, rann álfröðull, norðr at Niflheim Njóla sótti; upp nam árgjöll Úlfrúnar niðr, hornþytvaldr Himinbjarga.
Thorpe
The powers rose, the Alf’s illuminator northwards towards Niflheim chased the night. Up Argiöll ran Ulfrún’s son, the mighty hornblower of heaven’s heights.
Björnsson
The gods arose, álfröðull ran, njóla advanced north towards Niflheimur; Úlfrún’s son lifted up Árgjöll, the mighty hornblower in Himinbjörg.
Thorpe translation accessed on August 14 2011 from: http://www.squirrel.com/asatru/hrafnagaldr.txt Björnsson translation accessed on August 14 2011 from: http://notendur.hi.is/eybjorn/ugm/hrg/hrg.html
Hrafnagaldr Óðins is one of the “lost manuscript poems,” poems lacking source or attribution that appear in later paper manuscripts with other, better-documented poems; other examples include Gróagaldur, Fjölsvinnsmál, and Sólarljóð. The poem’s dating is even more controversial than most Eddic poems; indeed, there is controversy over whether or not it should even be considered an Eddic poem. In 1867, Sophus Bugge declared that the poem was a fabrication from the 17th century, and most later Eddic collections have taken their cue from him; however, there are some notable exceptions, such as the German Edda translated by Karl Simrock that inspired Wagner. In the last decade or two, a number of scholars, Heathens, and similar folk have begun challenging Bugge’s conclusions, including former director of Stofnunar Árna Magnússonar Professor Jónas Kristjánsson, current Icelandic Allsherjargoði Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson, and translators William Reaves and Eystein Björnsson. Based on an analysis of the metre and language, Kristjánsson argues that the poem is probably younger than Codex Regius (ca. 1270) but older than the 17th century, perhaps dating to the 14th; also, because of a letter Arni Magnusson wrote in 1729, Kristjánsson believes that the poem may have been in Magnusson’s collection prior to the Great Fire of 1728. The first time it was released in print was in 1787.
The poem is written in fornyrðislag, which is a common Eddic verse form. It is characterized by two stressed syllables (lifts) per half line, with two or three unstressed syllables; at least two lifts (often three) alliterate, always including the first lift of second half-line. Fornyrðislag stanzas are usually, though not always, eight lines long.
People, Places, and Things:
1. The íviðja (“the one who lives in the wood” or “the malicious one”): A giantess in the Thulur. Possibly identical to Angrboda and/or the giantess(es) of the Iron Wood mentioned in Voluspa.
2. Óðhrærir (“the one that stimulates to ecstasy”): The mead of the skalds, or the cauldron in which Kvasir’s blood was caught.
Urðar (“Wyrd”): Urður, a norn. Snorri identifies her as one of the three norns who lives at Urðar brunnr along with Verdandi and Skuld.
3. Hugr (“thought”): Huginn, one of Odin’s two ravens. In the poem, the use of Huginn’s name is likely a synecdoche representing both Huginn and Muninn.
Þráin (“the threatening one”) and Dáin (“the dead one”): dwarves? In Havamal, Dáin carves runes for the elves, and in Hyndluljoð he is one of the makers of Hildisvini.
4. Alsviðr (“the completely white one”, “very quick”, or, far less likely “all wise”): In Havamal, Alsviðr carves runes for the giants. In Grimnismal, Alsviðr and Arvakr are horses who pull the sun over the sky. In Alvissmal, Alviss is a dwarf whom Thor questions until the sun rises. Alsviðr’s identity in the poem is rather enigmatic.
5. Mímir (“the rememberer” or “the wise one”): a giant in the Thulur, and one of the Æsir in Ynglinga Saga. Mímis brunnr is the spring of wisdom in Voluspa, and in Gylfaginning it lies under the roots of Yggdrasill.
6. Iðunn (“the rejuvenating one”): keeper of the apples that prevent the gods’ aging. Working off Haustlong, Snorri tells of her abduction by Thjazi, her recovery, Thjazi’s subsequent death, and Skaði’s coming to Asgard.
Ivaldi (“god/owner of the bow” or “god who rules in the yew tree”): Ullr? Father of the builders of Skiðblaðnir in Grimnismal; in addition to the ship, Snorri says they made Sif’s hair and Gungnir. Possibly identical to Thjazi’s father, given as Alvaldi in Harbardsljoð and Olvaldi in Skaldskaparmal. The poem implies that Ivaldi has had at least two sets of children; perhaps the Ivaldasynir are of the younger group?
7. kundar Nörva (“Norvi’s daughter”): Nott, Night.
8. Naumu (“mother”? “the daring one”? “giantess”?): Appears to refer to Iðunn. Often emended to Nanna, though nearly all manuscripts have “Naumu,” so a scribal error seems unlikely. Nanna is Baldr’s wife and is frequently used in skaldic poetry to refer to any female wight. A meaning of “the daring one” may be appropriate if Iðunn has fallen due in part to curiosity, while “giantess” may be appropriate for her current conditions.
9. Viðrir (“weather god”): Odin
vörð Bifrastar (“guardian of the swaying road/fleetingly glimpsed rainbow”): Heimdall
Gjallar sunnu gátt (“keeper/bearer of Gjoll’s sun”): Gjoll’s sun is a kenning for gold; the entire phrase is thus a kenning for woman. The woman in question may be Iðunn, Urður, or someone else.
Bragi (“lord” or “poetry”): Iðunn’s husband, known for his wisdom and skill with poetry. Possibly a 9th century poet deified in later times. In Lokasenna, he is the first of the gods to argue with Loki.
Loftr (“the airy one”): Loki
10. Rögnir og Reginn (“the god and the gods,” “the advising ones,” “the mighty ones”): May refer to Heimdall and his companions, the wights mentioned in Stanza 2, or someone else.
Hliðskjálf (“opening tower/shelf,” “scaffolding over the opening”): Odin’s hall or throne, from which those seated can see (and hear?) events throughout the worlds.
veiga selju (“drink server”): The woman Heimdall and his companions have gone to question.
12. Gefjun (“the giving one”): One of the goddesses, here representing the woman Heimdall and his companions have gone to question. May represent Iðunn in that she seems to have fertility aspects and Iðunn gives youth to the gods; may represent Urður in that she is said to know the orlog of all the world.
13. Elivágar (“storm sea”): A river or group of rivers. Snorri says they flow from Hvergelmir into Ginnungagap. He also says it forms part of the border between Jotunheim and Miðgarð, which seems to be confirmed in other sources.
14. sverð Áss hvíta (“sword of the white As”): Heimdall is the White God; Heimdall’s sword is a kenning for head.
15. Jórunn (“mighty one”?): Appears only in this poem. Refers to the woman questioned by Heimdall.
16. Herjan (“devastator”): Odin
horni Gjallar (“loud horn”): Heimdall’s horn
Nálar nepa (“Needle’s kin”): Loki. Nal is his mother.
greppr Grímnis (“poet of Masked One”): Grimnir is Odin, and Odin’s poet is Bragi.
17. Vingólf (“the friendly house”): Probably Odin’s hall, though the temple of the goddesses in Asgard has the same name.
Viðar (“the wide-ruling one”): Odin’s son, the silent god who avenges his father’s death.
Fornjótr (“old giant,” “life giant” “destroyer”): A legendary king. His sons are Hler (“sea”), Logi (“fire”), and Kari (“wind”).
Ygg (“the terrible one”): Odin
18. Hangatýr (“the hanging god”) and Yggiung (“one who worries”): Odin
19. Bölverk (“the evil doer”) and Hnikar (“instigator”): Odin
Sæhrímnir (“sooty sea animal”): the boar prepared and eaten nightly in Valhall
Skögul (“battle”): a Valkyrie
22. Ómi (“memory”? “the resounding one”?): Odin
23. Rindr (“crust of the earth”?): Mother of Odin’s son, Vali, avenger of Baldr. In Baldurs Draumar, she lives in the west.
Fenrir (“swamp dweller”): The wolf son of Loki and Angrboda, bound by the gods, slays Odin during the Ragnarok and is in turn slain by Viðar. Here, he seems to represent the wolf chasing the sun.
Hropt (“clamor”? “implorer”?): Odin
Frigg (“woman,” “beloved one,” “pleasure”): If you don’t know who she is . . .
Hrímfaxi (“frost mane” or “soot mane”): Nott’s horse
24. Delling (“the shining one”): His son by Nott is Dagr (“day”), and Dagr’s horse is Skinfaxi (“shining mane”).
Mannheim (“man home” or “man world”): Miðgarð
Dvalin (“the sleeping one” or “the slow one): a dwarf. His deluder (or playmate) is the sun.
25. Jörmungrund (“mighty ground”): Miðgarð, or possibly the Underworld(s)
26. álfröðull (“elf sun”): the sun
Niflheim (“mist home” or “dark world”): the realm of ice and darkness, probably identical with Niflhel
Njóla (“darkness”): One of the names given Night in Alvissmal.
árgjöll (“the loud one”): Heimdall’s horn (or perhaps Heimdall himself)
Úlfrún (“wolf rune” or “wolf woman”): One of Heimdall’s nine mothers according to Hyndluljoð.
Himinbjorg (“heaven castle”): Heimdall’s realm
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